Method

overall rating:

Poor

location:

USA

about the brand:

Method Products offers home cleaning and personal care products marketed as eco-friendly and non-toxic, under the ownership of SC Johnson.

certifications

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Method

Brand Rating & Evaluation

Overall Rating:

Poor

Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (Avoid) to 5 (Top Choice). See How We Rate

The Shifting Gaia rating evaluates brands based on sustainable practices, ingredients and materials, and social responsibility, among others. These are a few factors influencing this brand's score:

sustainability practices

Method has made some efforts in sustainability, particularly in packaging and manufacturing. Their bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic, primarily sourced from the Plastic Bank, which helps reduce ocean-bound plastic. They offer some aluminum and refill options to reduce plastic use.

The company also operates a LEED-Platinum certified factory (Southside Soapbox) that runs on renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Despite these innovations, the brand is hardly revolutionary in terms of reducing waste. Some product packaging, like pouches, remains non-recyclable, and they still use rigid plastic in certain products.

Method’s parent company, SC Johnson, has a less than impressive record when it comes to supply chain transparency and environmental management, particularly in regions like China, where their practices received a relatively low score on the Corporate Information Transparency Index for environmental management.

ingredients & materials

While Method markets its products as largely plant-based, there have been concerns regarding some of their ingredients. Despite excluding harsher chemicals like parabens, triclosan, and phthalates, their products still contain synthetic ingredients such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), methylisothiazolinone, and phenoxyethanol—all of which have been criticized for causing skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Additionally, Method faced a class action lawsuit in 2021, accused of misleading consumers by labeling its products as “non-toxic” while using ingredients that may still pose health risks. This led to a settlement and a revision of their marketing language. The presence of synthetic dyes (e.g., FD&C dyes), which are linked to potential health concerns, also reduces their score in this category.

social responsibility

Method demonstrates a commitment to some social initiatives, such as Creative Growth, which supports artists with disabilities, and collections that promote LGBTQ+ causes. Their factory in Chicago's South Side has also created jobs in the local community, which highlights a positive local impact.

However, broader transparency around labor practices and ethical sourcing, particularly within their supply chain, is lacking. Method's parent company, SC Johnson, has been criticized for poor performance in some ethical benchmarks. For example, SC Johnson received a score of 1/20 in the 2024 Social Benchmark, which evaluates companies on human rights and labor conditions. This lack of transparency and poor social responsibility performance is a concern for ethically-minded consumers.